Foot-perfect Azerty must set the pace

Azertyuiop started a very strong favourite there, but Moscow Flyer bounded clear with his ears pricked after the second last and galloped home with rare enthusiasm up the hill to score by a length and a half with Well Chief running a heroic race to finish just a short head away in third.

But one of those closest to the action didn't think the bare result told the whole story.

Step forward Azertyuiop's burly owner John Hales, who was swift to hint that top jockey Ruby Walsh would have been well advised to set a stronger early gallop in order to put more pressure on Moscow Flyer's occasionally suspect jumping.

Hales chiselled out his millions manufacturing teddy bears and Tellytubby dolls, so it was always on the cards that an eager press would write his outburst up as no more than a rich and rather unsporting owner throwing his toys out of the pram. They didn't let us down, but the man who rode such a roller coaster of emotions at Cheltenham as owner of the brilliant One Man a few years ago did have a worthwhile point.

Some quiet yet significant in-house discussions had taken place by the time Azertyuiop lined up for the Game Spirit Chase at Newbury last month.

This time Walsh allowed Azertyuiop to roll along and make maximum use of his bold jumping from an early stage, and the outcome was emphatic as he strode clear from the third last to give 4lb and a two and a half length beating to Well Chief.

Well Chief 's achievements since he beat Gold Cup hopeful and this year's King George Chase winner Kicking King in the Arkle here 12 months ago have been nothing short of spectacular.

The diminutive six-year-old followed his Tingle Creek third by putting up a superb weight-carrying performance under Timmy Murphy to win the Victor Chandler Chase here in January, but he shaped as if a couple of tough races might just have taken the edge off him at Newbury.

Getting him to peak for another gruelling battle might test even champion trainer Martin Pipe's legendary skills, whereas Azertyuiop's programme suggests he can be backed with confidence to produce his very best tomorrow.

His trainer Paul Nicholls has never made any secret of the fact that the eight-year-old has been trained all season with tomorrow's race in mind, and the way he tied up slightly close home at Newbury lends weight to the theory that he wasn't quite at concert pitch there.

Naturally, there are plenty others who will be busting a gut to beat him.

Oneway has thrived to win five handicaps in a row and bids to notch what would be a life changing success for his up-and-coming trainer Mark Rimell, while Central House is very smart and can be relied on to help force the pace from a long way out.

However, the race which has been widely billed as the highlight of the 2005 Festival will surely boil down to which of the big three goes about his business most clinically on the day.

Barry Geraghty jokes that Moscow Flyer will win "doing handsprings".

His old sparring partner Walsh

responds by suggesting that Azertyuiop will come home in front "pulling two trains," while Well Chief 's jockey Murphy feels a return to Cheltenham holds the key to his mount.

In truth, the chance of any of the trio coming home way in front seems remote unless the fences get in the way.

Barring accidents, the stage is set for Azertyuiop to strike for home with a vengeance as the field make the long swing for home.

Moscow Flyer will doubtless respond just as he always has in the past, but Azertyuiop has come up the Cheltenham hill in rip-roaring style at the last two Festivals and can do so again to finally bring the Flyer down to earth. The gallant Well Chief may not be far behind.